Wow, can you believe it’s only 2 more days til Chinese (Lunar) New Year? I’ve been seeing so many Chinese New Year related recipes posted on blogs and facebook and it’s been such a temptation! After going through hundreds of recipes, I’ve decided I’d be making Almond Cookies this year. Because I simply love Almond baked goods and the fact that it uses less flour means slightly less guilty!
Before we go on with the recipe, I’d like to show you something that’s totally unrelated but definitely worth watching. This is my supermodel boyfriend Frank, in a Perodua ad quite a few years ago.
WHY OH WHY YOU NEVER TOLD ME YOU HAD A BLONDE WIFE AND 2 BEAUTIFUL KIDS?!
Err, the accent is hilarious too. So NOT Dublin. Apparently this ad won a couple of awards for its production too. I’ve always known the guy can act. Haha! So if you are looking for talent, feel free to contact me, I’ve appointed myself as Frank’s agent thank you very much.
After watching this again, I think I will hide the almond cookies from Frank so he will be able to fit into that suit again.
Oh, sorry. Back to business. The recipe I used came from Abigail Tan’s blog, with some minor adaptations of my own. I’ve added a touch of butter and some lemon zest for that extra citrus note, inspired by Christine’s recipes. Did I mention that this is easy peasy? I got a kg pack of Almond meal from Baking with Yen for only RM29.50. Pretty good price compared to those sold in Village Grocer (nearly RM50).
110g Almond meal
160g All Purpose Flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
50g Castor Sugar
100g Peanut Oil
1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
Zest of Half Lemon (use whole if you prefer stronger lemon taste)
1 egg yolk for brushingMix all the dry ingredients together then pour in the oil as well as butter (softened). Work into a soft dough. Shape into balls (about one tablespoon each) and place on baking tray that’s lined wit baking paper.
Preheat oven to 170C. Brush egg yolk on cookies then bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.
I rolled my cookies a little larger than usual, but it didn’t require longer time to cook through. In fact I turned off the oven before the indicated time judging by the colour.
These cookies hold their shape very well, and have just the right crunch before melting in your mouth. I do love the addition of lemon, it’s very refreshing. I had three of them before putting all into containers so I won’t be tempted again.
I will make another batch tomorrow and roll the balls smaller, and if time permits, some pineapple tarts as well. You can check out my recipe from last year.
For our reunion dinner on Saturday, we are going to have Yee Sang (another recipe I’ve blogged about last year, but shall do it a little differently this time), Rice paper roll, Roast Pork (or Char Siew) and maybe a Steamed fish. Plenty of vegetables! What will you be making/eating for your reunion dinner?
I am submitting this post to Chinese New Year Delights 2013 hosted by Sonia aka Nasi Lemak Lover.
Kelly Siew Cooks 
Errr Liam? Hahaha… btw, I’m so craving for CNY cookies now!!
Too late to bake it now cos there’s a lot to do T.T
Lol and he developed a northern accent mixed with oz at parts. Funny! Baking these only takes an hour from start to finish! Very easy wor.
Oooo…look so good!
Hahahaha I assume you meant the cookies not Frank!
mmm, i can imagine finishing an entire jar of these cookies within two hours! the addictive sort of snacking, with a lemony tang and almond nuttiness some more 😀
Even though they are not too high in sugar, having a whole batch at once can have dire health consequences. Haha
lol @ the commercial 😀 Ah they look lovely those cookies! Pity we buy ours, I’d rather have them fresh outta the oven with the aroma. The idea of baking in this Melbourne bushfire heat puts me off though haha
Homemade is always the best! Especially when they are still a bit warm. Heavenly.
Ooo….I loves almond cookies too and it is a must for me for the CNY. Having added lemond zest is an added extra aroma, something in difference for me. It is indeed very “heong”….think I can smell it here.
It smells fantastic when baking! I love adding lemon into baked goods. 🙂
very healthy reunion dinner dishes! i’ll also be making yee sang, braised mushrooms, stir fry jicama,.. and already made some acar,
Sounds like a pescetarian dinner spread, I like! I’m doing one meat dish just in case my brother complains.
Haha Kelly! So how much weight has Frank put on since?
Maybe some mandarin orange zest in your next batch for CNY?
Dunno how much exactly (though after he met me he had lost a bit of weight due to a healthier diet) but enough to not fit into that suit for sure! This video is about 10years old.
Currently no mandarin at home but did think it’s a nice idea. Though I still prefer the taste of lemons.
So many great CNY recipes but I dont have time to bake!! Arghhhhh.
But you’ve been cooking up a storm! Hehehe bet your reunion dinner will be amazing!
I just feel like a almond cookie!!
May I take one? 😉
If you have a minute, please check out my blog and follow me if you liked it. I’ll appreciate it so much! Thanks!
http://www.francescainthekitchen.blogspot.com
Hehehe come and get it! 🙂 Thanks for dropping by!
Hi Kelly,
That is a cool ad!
Lovely cookies, never thought of adding lemon to almond cookies! Yup, better keep them out of view until CNY!
Your reunion dinner sounds wonderful!
Wish you and Frank, Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Very well made and indeed. I heard it took 3 days to complete. Hard to hide the cookies since I keep going back for them. Damn!
Happy Chinese New Year to you and your family!
My mouth is watering staring at those
You made this yourself! It looks delicious! 🙂
You’re in Sibu right? Are you baking any more? Haha!
Very easy to bake. I’ll be in Bintulu on Monday and then Sibu on Tuesday. Then back to KL Wednesday heheh. By the time you are back in KL I should still have some more barked goods left.
Almond and lemon – great combo.
I love it! The aroma lingers a while after devouring it.
hi kelly, just had my reunion dinner..crabs, chicken , prawns and ‘cai’ (vegatarian). Looking at the ad, i think frank had indeed put on quite a bit of weight compared to the time i saw him at the baking comp. You will need to hide these delicious cookies from him! Gong Xi fa Cai to you…and also Frank :))
Sounds like a fabulous spread!! Hahaha too late, he already got to the cookies! 😛 But to be fair he did lose some weight after he met me, before that he used to have a diet of pizza and coke (and a lot of whisky). Nowadays I nag the health consciousness into him!
Wish I can have some almond cookies here too… I only bought a box of pineapple cookies with us. hehehe
There will still be plenty around when you are back! Hehehe
Looks so delicious 🙂
Thank you! They are delicious and simply irresistible!
Think I will have to try some 🙂
Make it soon!
I will 🙂
I want I want I want I want!!)
Try this recipe – Blueberry Vegan Mug Cake https://greenann.com/recipe/vegan-mug-cake/ Healthy and tasty!)